Name: Heroes for Autism Summit
Start: 2026-02-13T08:30:00-06:00
Location: Olivette Parks and Recreation

Are you ready to expand your impact, strengthen your skills, and gain powerful new tools to support autistic children and teens? Join us for the Heroes for Autism Summit, a one-day, high-energy learning experience bringing together leading experts, hands-on strategies, and a community of people who care deeply about making a difference and understanding autism.
Why You Don’t Want to Miss This Summit
1. Learn from Top Autism Professionals
Hear from experts in behavioral consulting, dyslexia advocacy, autism-inclusive education, sensory strategies, and more. Participants will receive immediately applicable insights for the classroom, home, and therapy settings.
2. Practical Strategies for Real-Life Challenges: Walk away with proven strategies you can use the very next day, including:
- Managing behaviors with confidence
- Building inclusive lesson plans
- Supporting executive functioning
- Improving collaboration around IEPs
- Creating sensory-friendly environments
- Strengthening peer relationships & social skills
3. Connect With a Community That Understands: Network with educators, parents, clinicians, caregivers, students, and service providers—all united in supporting neurodiverse children with dignity and love.
4. Vendor Expo Featuring Resources & Tools: Discover new programs, services, and supports available in the region. The expo is open all day for browsing, networking, and resource gathering.
What’s Included With Your Registration?
✔ Access to keynote + all sessions
✔ Morning refreshments
✔ Vendor expo
✔ Light lunch
✔ Printed materials and digital resources
✔ Networking with professionals & community partners
✔ Certificate of participation

Agenda:
8:00 AM – 8:30 AM – Check-In & Registration
8:30 AM – 8:40 AM – Welcome Remarks
8:40 AM – 9:10 AM – Keynote Address Lyla Novakowski, We Rock the Spectrum Gym. Boxes or Bridges: Re-imagining the Autism Journey and Ending the Preschool-to-Prison Pipeline (30 min)
9:10 AM – 10:10 AM – Session 1: Panel (Leslie T, Julia C, Kelsey Harper, Ellen U) Perspectives and Understanding autism a panel discussion (educators, parent, autism professionals) (60 min)
10:10 AM – 10:40 AM – Session 2: Diane Dragan, Dragan Law Firm
Beyond the Myths: Clearing Up the Most Common Misunderstandings About IEPs (30 min)
10:40 AM - 11:00 AM Break & Networking
- Refreshments available
- Light lunch
- Visit vendors & resource tables

11:00 AM – 12:00 PM – Session 3: Brittany Taussig, RISE Behavioral Consulting, LLC. Beyond Behavior: Building Executive Function Skills and Designing Effective Behavior Intervention Plans (60 min)
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM - Session 4: Jade Adkins, The Special Education Navigator. Beyond the Table: Partnering for Student Success in Special Education (60 min)

1:00 PM - 1:10 PM Break

1:10 PM – 2:10 PM – Session 5: Jennifer Haughey, Midwest Easterseals. Understanding Emotional Regulation and Strategies for Supporting Students in the Classroom (60 min)
2:10 PM - 2:40 PM - Session 6: Michelle Matsche, Beyond Words Consulting. Together Beyond Words: Creating Belonging for Every Brain (30 min)
2:40 PM – 3:10 PM- Session 7: Lindsey Holtsman, Caravel Autism Health. AIM/ACT–Informed Strategies for Supporting Autistic Students’ Peer Connections (30 min)
3:10 PM Closing Remarks & Call to Action

Professional Development Credits (Pending Approval)
We are pursuing accreditation through DESE and other certification providers. Updates will be sent to all registrants.
Who Should Attend?
If you are a…
-Teacher or paraprofessional
-Parent or caregiver
-Social worker or counselor
-BCBA, RBT, or ABA professional
-Speech or occupational therapist
-School administrator
-University student or faculty member
-Autism service provider
-Recreation organizations
-Church leader
…this summit was designed for you.

Register Today — Seats Will Fill Fast!
Don’t forget to use code EARLY-BIRD for $10 off your ticket.
✔ Student rates available
✔ Vendor and sponsorship opportunities open
✔ Group registrations encouraged